Mason Bee Hut Kit with Bees
SKU:
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEED
Order mason bees and release when daytime temperatures consistently reach 50-55°F. Nightime temperature lows is not important.
Mason bees are gentle, non-aggressive bees that are important pollinators for fruits, vegetables, and flowers, often surpassing the effectiveness of honeybees! They are solitary bees native to North America, and are named "mason bees" because they collect clay rich mud to build walls in between each egg. In nature, female mason bees build their nests in hollow plant stems, tree holes, rock crevices, or any small hole that is at least 6 inches deep.
Our Mason Bee Hut Kit is a simple and easy way to raise these gentle pollinators!
Mason bees are seasonal pollinators and are only available for purchase from February through May.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
MASON BEE HUT KIT INCLUDES:
Mason Bee Cocoons
Protective casings where the bees develop - Included in our Hut Kit to kick-start your mason bee population. You can also purchase them separately to replenish existing colonies.
Mason Bee Cedar Hut
Made from Pacific Northwest Cedar and designed to attract mason bees and keep them safe. Its compact size makes storing cocoons in the summer easy and will last over many seasons and years. Measurements:
2in overhang to drain excess rain
Keyhole slot in back for easy installation and removal
Size: 6in H (each side to side) x 9in D
Mason Bee Mud/Nursery Hut
In the spring, this container is designed to ensure that Bee Mud is accessible by keeping it moist and preventing it from washing away.
In the fall, this container is intended to be re-used as the Nursery Hut for harvested cocoons. It is designed to keep the cocoons moist but not overly wet when placed in a refrigerator.
Reed Nesting Tubes
Natural Tubes come in different sizes and naturally repel parasites and disease. Discard used tubes and replace with fresh tubes each year.
Mason Bee Hut Bag
This bag is used protect developing bees inside the bee hut from pest infestation during the summer months when the bees become inactive.
GETTING STARTED
1. Find the best location:
- Locate a sunny, south-facing spot preferably with afternoon shade during the heat of summer. It should be protected from wind and rain, but allowing full morning sun.
- Placement should be within 300 feet of flowering fruit, vegetables, or flower plants. Ensure there is no nearby pesticide use or recent chemical treatments.
- The opening should face away from any birdhouses or feeders.
2. Store cocoons until ready:
- The Bee Hut and the Mud Hut should be set up and ready to go when you put the cocoons outside.
- Mason bee cocoons can be released when daytime temperatures reach 50-55°F, and when spring flowers are in bloom. Night time temperature lows are not important.
- If you received your cocoons before adequate conditions are met, store them in a fridge or cooler between 34-38°F until you are ready.
3. Set up the Bee Hut & Mud Hut:
- Place reed nesting tubes as far to the back of the Bee Hut as possible.
- Install or secure the Bee Hut on a sturdy base at least 5 feet off the ground.
- Place the Mud Hut within 25 feet of the Bee Hut, but not directly underneath.
- When temperatures consistently reach 50-55°F, and flowers are in bloom, place the bee cocoons in the wooden tray at the top of the Bee Hut - no later than mid-May.
HARVEST & STORAGE
1. Summertime protection with Mason Bee Hut Bag:
- Keep an eye on your Bee Hut throughout the Spring nesting season. Clean out any debris or pests and refresh nesting material if necessary.
- After the nesting period in late spring/early summer when the bees are no longer flying around the Bee Hut, remove the entire Bee Hut and clean off any obvious debris on the outside.
- Put the Bee Hut in the Hut Bag with the entrance of the hut facing up. Tie the bag and store in a garage, storage shed, or other cool, well-ventilated, and protected area for the rest of summer.
- Clean the Mud Hut and set aside to use as the Nursery Hut to store cocoons later in the winter.
2. Harvest in fall & store over winter:
- When temperatures fall consistently below 60°F, usually in the fall around October, it's time to harvest the cocoons.
- Set up the Nursery Hut (formerly used as the Mud Hut) with a clean sponge.
- Gently open the tubes and sort out the healthy cocoons that are brownish-gray, firm, and don't have any holes.
- Clean the cocoons by rinsing in cool water and using your fingers to remove any debris. Pat dry, and leave out in a cool area to cure for about an hour
- Store the Nursery Hut in the refrigerator between 34-38°F. Monitor frequently and add just enough water to keep the sponge moist (not wet) so the cocoons don't dry out. If they contract mold, simply repeat the cleaning process.
DISCLAIMER
Store Policies
Please review our store policies below on Shipping & Processing, Live Delivery Guarantee, and Returns/Replacements. By placing your order, you are agreeing to these policies. Thank you!
Thank you for shopping with us! No recommendation on pesticide use has been made by, or provided to, by the seller concerning the use of the pesticide covered by this website. Purchaser claims is for home use only and "not for commercial use".
Shipping & Processing:
Please allow 1-3 business days to process your order. At Natures Good Guys, we offer a variety of shipping methods for you to choose from when checking out after your purchase to give you flexibility. Overnight shipping and Second day are shipping services that we offer, however, choosing those services does not mean your order will ship the same day your order was placed. Overnight and second day shipping starts at transit time NOT when the order is placed. While every effort will be made to expedite your order, we cannot guarantee same day order processing. Orders are shipped as quickly as possible and according to the availability of the product. Tracking information for UPS, USPS and FedEx deliveries will automatically be sent to your email if and when that information is available.
Harvest Delays:
Please note that while we make our best attempt to keep all of our products in stock, nature sometimes thinks differently! We need to work with the natural reproductive cycles of living organisms, which means that on occasion your order will be delayed. Certain insects are harvested on specific days only, and sometimes our harvest will be delayed. In such a case, we will make our best attempt to send your order as soon as possible, or notify you through email or phone if there will be a significant delay.
Overnight Shipping:
We ship Overnight orders from Mon-Thurs and Second day orders from Mon-Wed (excluding holiday weeks/schedule varies), in order to prevent bugs from sitting in warehouses all weekend long and to assure their viability upon arrival. Second day orders will ship on Thursdays but only those whose address is Saturday deliverable. We do NOT ship Overnight and Second day orders Fri-Sun. USPS orders ship from Mon-Fri. Our cutoff time is 12 PM (pacific time). Please provide an email and phone number when placing your order, in case of a delay we will notify you to inform you about the delay and when to expect your order. We DO NOT ship to PO boxes. We reserve the right to withhold shipments due to weather extremes or holidays.
Changes/Cancellations:
Changes/Cancellations:
Due to the high volume of orders we process, we kindly ask that you notify us within 30 minutes of placing your order for any changes or cancellation requests. If you reach out to us after the order has already entered production, we will make our best efforts to accommodate your request; however, we cannot guarantee its feasibility at that stage.
Live Delivery Guarantee:
At NaturesGoodGuys, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality beneficial insects to enhance your gardening experience. Our Live Delivery Guarantee means that if you receive insects that are not viable upon delivery, you can contact us for a resolution.Simply email us at naturesgoodguys@gmail.com, providing your order number and a detailed description of the issue you encountered. We may require photos of both the insects and the packaging they arrived in. Our dedicated team will work diligently to address the problem and find a suitable solution.
Please note that our Live Delivery Guarantee pertains specifically to the condition of the insects at the time of delivery and does not cover instances where insects may perish at a later stage. We will exercise our discretion to assess whether your situation falls within the time frame qualifying for our policy. Factors such as the insect species, hatching time, temperature conditions, and other relevant considerations will be taken into account to determine the applicability of the guarantee. For non-hatching insects, you must contact us within 48 hours of delivery in order to be considered for the guarantee. Replacements will only be processed/shipped on Wednesdays & Thursdays.
Upon receiving your package from NaturesGoodGuys, we highly recommend opening it immediately and checking for a sticker indicating the need for refrigeration. It's crucial to carefully read the instructions included for specific storage information to ensure the well-being of your beneficial insects. We are not responsible for replacements due to incorrect storage methods.
One important thing to note is that we do not expect ice packs to remain frozen or cold upon delivery. Ice packs serve as a temporary measure to help maintain moisture and temperatures during transit.Please keep in mind that some insects may require time to adjust and recover from transit before they become active. If you don't observe immediate movement upon opening the package, this doesn't necessarily mean they are not viable. Give them a little time, and monitor for signs of activity as they settle into their new environment. Most of our insects are difficult to see without magnification.
Please note that our Live Delivery Guarantee pertains specifically to the condition of the insects at the time of delivery and does not cover instances where insects may perish at a later stage. We will exercise our discretion to assess whether your situation falls within the time frame qualifying for our policy. Factors such as the insect species, hatching time, temperature conditions, and other relevant considerations will be taken into account to determine the applicability of the guarantee. For non-hatching insects, you must contact us within 48 hours of delivery in order to be considered for the guarantee. Replacements will only be processed/shipped on Wednesdays & Thursdays.
Upon receiving your package from NaturesGoodGuys, we highly recommend opening it immediately and checking for a sticker indicating the need for refrigeration. It's crucial to carefully read the instructions included for specific storage information to ensure the well-being of your beneficial insects. We are not responsible for replacements due to incorrect storage methods.
One important thing to note is that we do not expect ice packs to remain frozen or cold upon delivery. Ice packs serve as a temporary measure to help maintain moisture and temperatures during transit.Please keep in mind that some insects may require time to adjust and recover from transit before they become active. If you don't observe immediate movement upon opening the package, this doesn't necessarily mean they are not viable. Give them a little time, and monitor for signs of activity as they settle into their new environment. Most of our insects are difficult to see without magnification.
Some species/quantities do not have multiple shipping methods to choose from because they require short transit time for viability. For those who have concerns about the well-being of their insects during transit, we suggest selecting overnight shipping. This ensures that your beneficial insects spend minimal time in transit, reducing stress and maximizing their chances of arriving in optimal condition.
Returns/Replacements:
If you have received an item that is damaged, defective or incorrect, please contact us immediately when you receive your shipment to resolve the problem. We do not typically ask for dead insects to be sent back to us, but replacements can be scheduled if the order is qualified, which is determined by customer support (please read our Live Delivery Guarantee). Please note that while we will happily replace packages that have been damaged, incorrect, or lost, we are not responsible for dead insects in the following situations:
1. Customer input the incorrect shipping information: If the customer contacts our help line BEFORE their order has been processed to correct an address error we will be able to perform this change for you so that you can receive your order.
2. Customer did not follow the instructions included with the shipped item: All of our items including our beneficial insects are shipped with instructions on proper use and storage (this can also be found on our website). Failure to follow the printed instructions or using a product other than for its intended uses will result in unsatisfactory results. Each case of unsatisfactory results are unique, therefore a customer service agent will help assess if the instructions were followed before any further actions can be taken on a claim.
3. Customer's inability to receive the shipment in a timely fashion after delivery. If a customer is not home to accept the package when it is delivered, it is either taken back to the post office or left exposed to the elements in your yard or mailbox and this will cause stress to the insects, potentially resulting in insect death. Make sure that when you place an order you arrange a convenient time to be home to accept the shipment when it is delivered. We provide tracking information on all shipped orders so that the customer can be aware of when they should be expecting their order. Do not place an order you do not think you will be home to accept as we will not replace packages that die out of customer negligence.